Virtual School Symposium 2009 – Final Reminders

We look forward to welcoming you to the Virtual School Symposium (VSS) 2009 in Austin next week.
iNACOL Membership Meeting on Sunday evening
iNACOL Members are invited to attend the iNACOL Membership Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 15th at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., where we will be discussing iNACOL programs, membership services, updates and future plans. We will also be recognizing the new Online Learning Innovator award-winners.

Networking opportunities on Sunday and Monday nights
iNACOL President’s Welcome Reception – Sunday, November 15th , 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This year, the President’s Welcome Reception will be held in the Austin Grand Ballroom, onsite at the Austin Hilton. We hope to see you there!

VSS Monday Night Networking Dinner – Monday, November 16th , 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The Monday night VSS networking dinner will be held at the nearby Texas History Museum at the State Capitol, transportation will be provided.

VSS Newcomers Welcome and Orientation on Monday morning
First-time VSS Attendees: We are excited that you will be attending the conference for the first time. You will have the opportunity to learn from and network with expert leaders and practitioners in K-12 online learning from around the world.

In order for you to get the best possible experience throughout the conference, we would like to invite first-time attendees to a “Newcomers’ Welcome Session” on Monday, November 16th, 7:15 -7:45 a.m. in Meeting Room 406 in the Hilton. This session will be during the Continental Breakfast prior to the 8:00 a.m. opening session. This Welcome Session will allow you to meet several members of the iNACOL Staff and the VSS Program Committee, as they provide an orientation to guide you, highlight sessions which target those new to online learning, and answer your questions about iNACOL and the conference.

Dress Code
The dress code for the conference is resort/business casual (khakis), so please plan to be comfortable. But don’t forget to pack your jeans for the annual VSS networking dinner on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Texas History Museum – the theme is “Boots & Bandanas”.

VSS 2009 Registration Hours

Sunday, November 15	8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, November 16	7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17	7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Special Opportunity – Chat with an iNACOL Researcher
In keeping with the last two VSS conferences, the research committee will be organizing opportunities for participants to speak with virtual school researchers and evaluators. In the past, those who have an interest in conducting research or carrying out internal or external evaluations have had the opportunity to sit down for an hour and get suggestions and advice from someone with experience doing these activities. If you are interested in speaking with a researcher or evaluator, please e-mail Michael Barbour at mkbarbour@gmail.com with your name, organization, position, and the nature of your interest in this opportunity. We will try and match you up with someone who reflects your specific interests at a time that is convenient for you during the symposium.

See the full Conference Agenda

Spa Discounts for VSS Attendees
And if you plan to pamper yourself during your stay in Austin, iNACOL has negotiated a Spa Discount –Call 512-493-4903 to pre-book your spa treatment at the Tower Health Club and Spa at the Hilton Austin before November 15th and receive a 10% discount. Call now to book your treatment, as space is limited.

About the Virtual School Symposium
The VSS conference, in Austin, TX from November 15 – 17, 2009, provides professional development for more than 1,200 attendees and K-12 administrators, policy leaders and practitioners; important networking opportunities; access to expertise and analysis, trends and research; and thought-provoking sessions for leaders looking to help shape the future of education. Presentations will highlight K-12 education solutions for college-readiness, credit recovery, teacher improvement and overcoming teacher shortages, web-based core and advanced courses, as well as personalized learning solutions for students across the grade-levels. For more information, visit www.virtualschoolsymposium.org.

About iNACOL
iNACOL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership association based in the Washington, DC area with more than 2,500 members. We are unique; our members represent a diverse cross-section of K-12 education from school districts, charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, research institutions, corporate entities and other content & technology providers. For more information, visit www.inacol.org.

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National Distance Learning Week, Nov. 9 – 13, 2009

This was posted to the iNACOL forums a few weeks back.

Dear Colleagues:

National Distance Learning Week 2009 is coming, and I wanted to take a moment to encourage your participation to promote and celebrate the tremendous growth and accomplishments occurring today in distance learning programs in your organization, on your campus and in your community. We want to help tell people about what you are doing to shape the future of education. Sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), (www.usdla.org) the 2009 National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) will be held November 9-13, 2009. During this time, schools, colleges, businesses and other organizations will highlight their offerings for current and prospective students and educators. Additionally, the USDLA will conduct a series of free webinars during National Distance Learning Week, educating their constituents on the latest happenings in distance learning.

The purpose of National Distance Learning Week is to generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning, including K-12, Higher Education, Corporate and Military, while recognizing leaders and best practices in the field. Therefore, we urge you to conduct local or national events during this time—whether you are a professional engaged in the day-to-day practice of distance learning, or an individual or organization that provides products and services being distributed via the Internet, video conferencing, or satellite technologies.

“[Distance] learning programs are invaluable because they provide a segment of our population with critical literacy and job-related skills as well as the means to take their careers to the next level,” said the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.

There are a variety of ways to participate in National Distance Learning Week, from hosting a distance learning webinar to donating computers to educational facilities. Here is just a short list of ideas:

- Provide a link from your website, wiki or blog to the NDLW site (download a logo at http://www.ndlw.org/media.html )

- Send an email to your communities inviting them to the NDLW site or to your own NDLW promotional event

- Help your clients to host an NDLW event within or outside their organization for educational outreach

- Participate in one of our live webinars ( http://www.ndlw.org/learners.html )

- Launch new products and services during NDLW

- Provide content/giveaways for the NDLW website that promotes distance learning awareness in some way. Although content may be branded, please ensure that it is educational/informative in nature and not overly marketing oriented.

For additional ideas, more information, or press materials, visit www.ndlw.org.

This is the time to celebrate your accomplishments and highlight your contributions to the field of distance learning!

Please feel free to forward to members of your professional networks who may want to take advantage of this opportunity.

Military Tries Out Virtual Schools – Las Vegas Review-Journal

This news item was posted to the iNACOL forums yesterday.

Military tries out virtual schools
Students, classes will move together

By RICHARD LAKE
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Oct. 19, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
http://www.lvrj.com/news/military-tries-ou…s-64720407.html

When members of the military are stationed overseas, they usually bring their families. They live in Germany or Japan or some other faraway place with a military base and, often, a school run by the Department of Defense.

But members of the military often move from base to base, forcing their school-age children to switch schools time and time again.

The agency wants to make the transition easier, which is why it has partnered with education officials at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to develop what they’re calling a “virtual high school” curriculum.

“The virtual high school is not intended to replace face-to-face schools. It is a supplement to them,” said Greg Levitt, the lead subject matter expert for UNLV on the project.

USDLA 2010: Call For Proposals Now Open! — NEW Distance Learning Today (DLT) — FREE WEBINARS For National Distance Learning Week (Nov. 9 – 13, 2009)

USDLA 2010 CONFERENCE:   Distance Learning: Diverse, Innovative, Efficient, and Sustainable     CALL FOR PROPOSALS NOW OPEN! LINK: http://www.conconnect.net/conf/rfp/RFP_intro.aspx?s=user&yr=2010&id=001   Submission Deadline: December 4, 2010

Karen Cator To Be Named New USDOE Ed Tech Director, THE Journal

This news item was posted to the iNACOL forums yesterday.

Cator To Be Named New Ed Tech Director at Department of Education
By David Nagel
11/02/09

Apple’s Karen Cator is being named director of education technology at the United States Department of Education. The announcement is being made formally Nov. 3 at the 2009 Leadership Summit and Ed Forum, hosted by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) in Washington, DC.
http://thejournal.com/articles/2009/11/02/…-education.aspx

Cator has most recently served as director of education leadership and advocacy at Apple and was chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills from September 2006 to September 2007. (The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is an advocacy group focused on integrating 21st century skills into the curriculum in K-12 education.)

The Office of Educational Technology (OET) at ED helps implement research projects, develop policies, and organize summit meetings.

“We are very excited to hear about Karen Cator’s appointment,” said Mary Ann Wolf, SETDA’s executive director. “SETDA has enjoyed working with Karen in the past and look forward to her continued leadership in education. Karen has in-depth knowledge and first-hand experience on the potential of technology to transform teaching and learning. She understands that we need to meet and engage kids where they are, addressing various learning styles and individualizing instruction. We welcome the opportunity to work with Karen to improve education for all kids.”

The formal announcement of Cator’s appointment will be made tomorrow by Jim Shelton, assistant deputy secretary for innovation and improvement for the U.S. Department of Education, at the SETDA Leadership Forum. Further information about that event can be found here.